Q&A with Swamiji .....204...Sankalpa and Phalashruti

[Guest guest]

Question from Sankar Viswanathan: (Original sent to Swamiji, condensed version

posted here )

 

Is it necessary to have a Sankalpa before beginning a recitation, and chant the

name of the place, date etc and who I am and what I want ?

 

Is it necessary to recite the Phala Shruti (Description of the fruits of the

recitation) of any text? I find it distasteful to ask MAA for anything.

 

Swamiji's response :

 

First the issue of Sankalpa: It is more powerful and most appropriate to have a

complete Sankalpa. However, it is not necessary to ask for anything in exchange

for what you are doing. Your name, lineage, date, place, and what you propose to

do is sufficient. There is no need to list what you hope to gain by doing it. We

do not.

 

Second is the issue of Phalashruti. They are beautiful by-products of what you

are doing. Whether you want them or not, they come with the completion of the

Sankalpa. They may be beneficial to others, if not specifically needed for

yourself. For example, Whoever takes refuge in the Mother, will invariably

become a refuge to others.

 

Whether or not we choose, it is a part of the Phalashruti. Whether we have

physical children or spiritual children, we will want them to be blessed.

Therefore, the Phalashrutis should be recited, even if not for our own selves,

but at least for others.

 

Also, most of the Phalashrutis say for those who hear these mantras. The fruits

will inure to others, it is not an act of selfishness.

[Guest guest]

Pranams to Shree Maa and Swamiji. I am grateful for the advice.

 

Sankar Viswanathan

 

 

On Thu, 04 Nov 2004 02:57:49 -0000, Latha Nanda <lathananda wrote:

>

>

> Question from Sankar Viswanathan: (Original sent to Swamiji, condensed version

posted here )

>

> Is it necessary to have a Sankalpa before beginning a recitation, and chant

the name of the place, date etc and who I am and what I want ?

>

> Is it necessary to recite the Phala Shruti (Description of the fruits of the

recitation) of any text? I find it distasteful to ask MAA for anything.

>

> Swamiji's response :

>

> First the issue of Sankalpa: It is more powerful and most appropriate to have

a complete Sankalpa. However, it is not necessary to ask for anything in

exchange for what you are doing. Your name, lineage, date, place, and what you

propose to do is sufficient. There is no need to list what you hope to gain by

doing it. We do not.

>

> Second is the issue of Phalashruti. They are beautiful by-products of what you

are doing. Whether you want them or not, they come with the completion of the

Sankalpa. They may be beneficial to others, if not specifically needed for

yourself. For example, Whoever takes refuge in the Mother, will invariably

become a refuge to others.

>

> Whether or not we choose, it is a part of the Phalashruti. Whether we have

physical children or spiritual children, we will want them to be blessed.

Therefore, the Phalashrutis should be recited, even if not for our own selves,

but at least for others.

>

> Also, most of the Phalashrutis say for those who hear these mantras. The

fruits will inure to others, it is not an act of selfishness.